European Stocks Rise as Markets Await Key U.S. Inflation Data 
Asia’s IPO Market Set for Strong Growth as China and India Drive Investor Diversification 
U.S. Stock Futures Hold Steady Ahead of Key Fed Decision 
Germany’s Economic Recovery Slows as Trade Tensions and Rising Costs Weigh on Growth 
Gold Prices Edge Higher as Markets Await Key U.S. PCE Inflation Data 
Asian Markets Mixed as RBI Cuts Rates and BOJ Signals Possible Hike 
ECB Signals Steady Rates Ahead as Policymakers Warn of Inflation Risks 
Gold Prices Inch Higher as Fed Rate-Cut Expectations Strengthen 
Japan’s Q3 Economic Contraction Deepens as Revised Data Signals Stronger Headwinds 
U.S. Defense Bill Sets Record $901 Billion Budget, Includes Ukraine Aid 
Vietnam’s November Trade Sees Monthly Decline but Strong Year-on-Year Growth 
Canada Stocks Steady as Markets Await Fed and BoC Decisions 
Trump Meets Mexico and Canada Leaders After 2026 World Cup Draw Amid USMCA Tensions 
U.S. Stocks Rise as Cooler Inflation Boosts Hopes for Fed Rate Cut 
Holiday Economic Questions: What Bank of America Says You Should Expect 
Gold prices inched higher during Asian trading on Monday, supported by safe-haven demand amid rising global trade tensions and political uncertainty in Japan. Spot gold rose 0.4% to $3,364.21 per ounce, while September gold futures gained 0.4% to $3,371.42. The precious metal held within a $200 range since April, even as investors turned cautious ahead of the looming August 1 U.S. tariff deadline.
Concerns escalated after the Wall Street Journal reported that the European Union was preparing retaliatory measures against new U.S. tariffs. The proposed duties, ranging from 20% to 50%, include a baseline 15% tariff on European imports, sparking uncertainty over trade policy. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick reaffirmed Sunday that August 1 was a firm deadline.
Additional haven demand emerged after Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party lost its majority in the upper house over the weekend. The political shift raised concerns over Japan’s economic and trade strategies, pushing the yen slightly higher.
The dollar eased slightly after a two-week climb, supporting broader gains in metals. Platinum rose 1% to $1,439.59 per ounce, while silver gained 0.3% to $38.3045. Both metals have significantly outperformed gold in 2025, driven by tighter supply expectations and growing industrial demand. Platinum is up 29.2% year-to-date, nearing an 11-year high, while silver, up 53.5%, approaches a 14-year peak.
In industrial metals, London Metal Exchange copper futures rose 0.6% to $9,846.45 per ton, and COMEX copper futures edged up 0.2% to $5.6170 per pound, buoyed by a softer dollar and steady demand expectations.
Markets remain focused on developments surrounding U.S. tariffs and global political shifts, key factors likely to influence safe-haven flows and commodity prices in the near term.
